BASSEY IKPI

Malaak Compton-Rock

THOMAS CHATTERTON WILLIAMS

MyBrownBaby is a weekly blog that provides thought-provoking, insightful, wickedly funny commentary on motherhood, for moms who love their brown babies, by moms who do the same.
Through their posts, our MyBrownBaby bloggers lift the voices of African-American moms looking for the 411/advice/a high-five on everything from pregnancy and childrearing to sex, work, and relationships—all filtered through the lens of the African American experience.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

MYBROWNBABY IS ADDICTED TO THIS CHOCOLATE HIGH

I love India.Aire and Musiq Soulchild for many reasons, most certainly for their song-writing talent, their incredible voices, and their dedication to their art and their culture and their people. The two of them make beautiful soul music, universal in its appeal, but so extraordinarily meaningful to those of us who appreciate solid songs about self-empowerment (Aire's "Video" and "I Am Not My Hair"), the excitement of new love (Musiq's "Buddy," and "Girl Next Door"), divine power (Aire's "God Is Real") and responsibility (Musiq's "Betterman" and "Motherfather").

I especially love that India and Musiq have repped black love to the fullest on each of their albums—unabashedly, beautifully. And not just black love between men and women, but black love between mother and child. For sure, I found a different kind of meaning in Aire's "Beautiful Flower," when I sang it to Lila each night at bedtime:

You are everything I ask for in my prayersSo I know my angels brought you to my lifeYour energy is healing to my soulYou are a beautiful surpriseYou are an inspiration to my lifeYou are the reason why I smileYou are a beautiful surprise

As far as I know, India isn't a mom and those lyrics were intended for a man, but I found that every note, every word resonated with me as a mom, who, even with the second baby, was still astounded by the "beautiful surprise" God had sent my way. Still am, really.

My latest musical obsession, though, is a new song my two favorite artists recorded together—one that unabashedly celebrates black love, the kind between a man and a woman. It's sexy and super sweet, and I'm totally addicted; this song makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like a teenager tucked away in her room, rewinding the sweetness of the first kiss. The chorus alone gives me butterflies:

There is somethin' about your loveThat makes me just want to open upYour flavor is the sweetest thing in lifeI'm addicted to your chocolate highCause i want you, and i know that you want meSo let's stay close like we supposed to beAnd just get high off our own supplyI'm addicted to your chocolate high

India, oooooh, man this song is so sweet. You are the best! I just purchased 3 tickets to the concert on Sunday night, May 24th for my daughter (!5), my sister-in-law and my beautiful wife of 30 years, Orchester section,Row T seat 24,26,28. I have to stay home and baby sit. I will be there in spirit. My girls come first. India, I Love YOU! You're wonderful. Joe